Ameri-Can!

So I’m here at work, reading today’s newspaper and watching all the Inauguration coverage, between cases, and I can’t help but think about my 2 Guatemalan born children, that are now Americans. Regardless of what side of the political fence you’re on, today is “big”. If for any reason, just the peaceful transition of power that countries like Guatemala and it’s neighbors struggle with…a lot. The other things talked about have huge potential for change that will probably affect my kids more than me. That is what makes me think of Mateo and Kaia and their future in America. God only knows what the future holds for any country, but I like my country a whole lot…especially today.

I’m still hoping to see more of you guys on Facebook. My friend Aimee started an Eagle’s Nest group that I’m looking forward to participating in…I noticed the other day my mom joined it. She loves her grandchildren and it’s like all the other kids are her “grandkids” too. Hope all is going well with your family and kids and don’t forget to look me up when you join Facebook.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

i like huckabee!!!

…and that is why i voted for him and the delegates that support him, this last Tuesday in the Tennessee Primary. He earned  23 out of 53 from my state.

This is my personal perspective and truths meeting a political process that many people feel a lot of passion about. It’s not so much a passion, for me, as it is just a feeling of responsibility to join in and support my country, as we go through another election this year for a president. As I deal with Guatemala and the “issues” of that country my gratitude overflows that I live in the good ‘ole USA and look forward to teaching my children about this great land.

Huckabee probably won’t even win the Republican nomination but I dig him. Here are a few things I like about him:

1. Protect the Right to Life – Huckabee is Pro-Life and so am I. 1.5 million abortions last year is 1.5 million too many.

2. Healthcare needs to be fixed, and the answer is not universal healthcare. As a healthcare provider and one that gets compensated by insurance for my services I support a market-based approach.

Check out more on Huckabee at his website, like his stand on the war in Iraq, immigration, 1st & 2nd amendment issues, and more. More will be revealed as the political waters are clearing and 2 candidates are nominated. I support you all in taking the time and effort to educate yourself and joining in on the process and VOTE. If you are not sure where the candidates stand on issues that interest you, start with this Candidate Match Game from USA Today.

my “take” on Dateline…the day after.

3 people today came up to me at the hospital and asked me if I saw Dateline last night. Now, that may not seem like very many to you, but I was at a small hospital today that our group covers and 3 is 20% of everyone that I came in contact with that knows me and my adoption quest.

I doubt you will ever see me blog on a network piece again just because….well, just because. So back to the Dateline piece -
This list of words simply describes my take on this piece titled, “To Catch a Baby Broker:”

Informative
Sad
Disturbing
Angry
Fearful
Wrong
Faith

The system needs changing and this piece pointed out ONE of the main areas of corruption. To fix the situation in Guatemala, I believe does not involve shutting the down the system, or even stalling it, like what is going on now with the new Central Authority, as it is now formed and starting to take cases. No one knows when though at this point. In my opinion with whatever system, wherever there is a U.S. dollar, there is a pocket waiting to have it.

The story was more about bringing into the light what some bad people have done to harm others that PUT themselves in a vulnerable position. That is the reality of International Adoption…it is risky. Choose wisely…your bank account and serenity depend on it. If you’ve read my adoption timeline you will see my wife and I started our adoption journey in Nicaragua. We didn’t like the hold ups…poor organization…lack of information, you name it….so we turned to Guatemala because like others, we could adopt a baby and in a timely manner, at least that is what we thought or wished for at the time. Plus, Nicaragua’s 2+ year wait was going to happen whether we went for another child from somewhere else or not. So, the real issue with Dateline: How does this affect me or How has it affected me in the past? That is really what Pearlie and I are wondering. Seriously, that’s where we go…How does this affect getting Mateo and Kaia home? In the big picture, probably little to none.

Now, I understand FEAR…I’ve had it…and to some degree have it still. But to not say my agency’s name or where my kids are is, is just, well…not what God is trying to teach me day in and day out – “Truth Telling”, and don’t be scared to be vulnerable because God has got it, more than I will ever know or even understand. My agency (Special Delivery) has been great, not perfect, just great….Eagles Nest is a special place that if you ever have been there KNOW God is there and He has tiny feet, He cooks and cleans, He is a special “mama”, and He carries out a mission there everyday.

I wish everyone’s adoption was smooth, had perfect timing, affordable, and without glitches, but is that ever the reality with anything? God’s will doesn’t always match mine and neither does His timing sometimes. It is hypocrisy to me to do this adoption thing any differently than how I run my daily life – simply. If you don’t understand this next statement it’s OK, I’m not going to “hate on you.” I GET OUT OF THE WAY. If I were to take an inventory of just today and the “problems” that arose, 80-90% would be Jeff induced. Plus, as I turn my life (and this adoption journey) over to my God/Saviour/Guide/Advocate, He gets to work His thing and show me my role and it’s not as manager…it is as servant/brother/friend/survivor/worker. (edited 1/22/08)

I do KNOW that EVERYTHING happens the WAY it is supposed to…..it ALWAYS does!!!

if you ask me “the question(s)” one more time

        

I am so sick and tired of hearing the question(s)….and their follow ups like:
“When are the babies coming?”
“Whats going on with the babies?”
“Why is it taking so long?
“It is such a shame…they should be home with you…blah, blah, blah”
I swear there are times it is a struggle to answer with a smile and/or without cursing.
Are you freakin’ kidding me? You asked me 2 days ago. I can’t get my drivers license renewed in 2 days.

The good intentions of the question(s) are just that and I know they are meant to be relational and real, but it’s hard to answer them sometimes. Do you really want to see me cry here sir, ’cause I will if I have to be reminded over and over how much I miss them and long to be with them? My words right now can’t express how my heart aches to hold and love them, yet alone when you catch me by surprise at work, church, a meeting, or anywhere life takes me on a daily basis.

I want to share a letter that I found through an adoption blog that addresses this very issue and basically points out the need for “common courtesy”, if you will, that I believe applies but very few people think about or consider when they are talking to a friend waiting for their adoption to be completed. Read the article – “An open letter to the general populace about intercountry adoption” – and let me know what you think.

Trust me and know that you will know that you are in the know in knowing when, where, and how the kids are coming. I scream pretty loud.

Thanks for letting me vent and share this experience with the most (safe) honesty I can.

editorially speaking…again!!

Today I had the opportunity, thanks to a light day in the OR to do some reading (newspaper, online) and catching up on the latest political compare and contrast. That is truly what it is to me…CNN vs. FOX, Wall Street Journal vs. New York Times, conservative vs. liberal, Democrat vs. Republican. It has a competive vibe that just doesn’t fit, and that has always bothered me.

So here’s where I’m at today. I’ll start with admitting my biases. They are there and they are none of your business. My honesty starts and stops with telling you that they are there and probably always will be. I was born with certain genetics and some researchers are possibly proving it. I was also raised with a belief system that today I feel comfortable confronting and changing if need be. For example, I’m Christian, but that does not mean that I’m OK with “King David” like war tactics today. Is the world a better place with or without Osama? Did God order the “hit” on Saul?? and Osama?? and Hitler?? Politics come down for me to, how do they relate to me locally (country/state/city) and personally (freedoms/taxes/economy). In other words how does it affect me? And honestly, if it hasn’t affected me then my time (TOO BUSY!!!) and energy is focused elsewhere. It works in reverse also for me….How can I affect politics? What can I do? Like I shared with my friend Steve change is going to happen, is happening, and am I a part of or need to be a part of that change as it is related to me. I believe that it starts with me doing the next right thing in my daily life and working it’s way up and out to others.

My issues of interest that I am looking for to be addressed by the candidates are:

1. Healthcare – I will be starting a family this year. My parents are on Medicare. I work in this “industry.”
2. Death Penalty – 14 states and our nation’s capital banned it, why can’t the rest.

In the coming months these are the topics I will be looking at. So far nothing significant, but things are just starting and I definetely have not hit all the sources of information on the candidates. At some point I will have to trust a media source I understand that. Isn’t it really about who “lies” the least…seriously…..God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the thing I can and with wisdom to know the difference.

That leads me to the candidates. Change is the theme. Cool, I’m down with some change.
Hillary – “we’re not just trying to elect a president, we’re trying to change, that is what I’m committed to doing.” Although she is not too keen on doing change by doing things differently. Isn’t that the definition of insanity.
Obama – “…build a coalition for change that stretches through the red and blue states.” His version of change holds hands with HOPE. His PASSION mixes well with idealism and it feels good. “It’s coming together…” he says. What’s coming together? No signs of “real” Healthcare reform. No plan on Iraq. What’s coming together? He is not MLK-freedom fighter. He is not JFK-politically gened.
Romney -”Washington is broken and we’re going to change that.” Is he really going to be able to use his business background to “fix” something that is fundamentally broken. I assume he is referring to the political system. I don’t think it’s broken, I just don’t think it fits because of the changing that is occuring around it and in us (americans). So what’s the solution? Raise taxes? More Republican economical pruning disguised as conservatism.
McCain – I don’t know if his “broad based experience, knowledge, and background” is really change….He’s just old. Let’s just admit it . It’s harder to change the older you get.
Huckabee – The “Late Night Shows” candidate has promised “to chart a new course for the nation.” Really, that sounds great, but what the heck does it mean?Faith.Family.Freedom sounds conservative, old school style, and it even hits all my “interests”. I disagree with him that we ARE in a healthcare crisis AND a health crisis despite what he said on Leno. His best line on Leno was “people will forgive you for being left or right if you go up.” Tonight on Letterman, “its about horizon not vertical” politics and something about we’re all americans wanting to come together and improve our image..blah, blah, blah….and “if I loose tomorrow it is because I came on this show and if I win tomorrow it is because I came on this show.”hahahahah….laughslaughslaughs.

I tend to look for more honesty, openmindedness, and willingness and that my friends will be a judgement call. So I’ve got my work cut out for me and more WILL be revealed as my issues and the candidates issues unfold and become clearer….I’m so glad that in the end God has got all of this and everthing mentioned above was a funny, loud, non-toxic “mind fart.”